The second event of the 2025 MLP season just finished in Columbus. Nine of the 16 Premier teams were in action, and we begin to see the cream rising to the top in the standings.

 

 

The three best teams continue to be Dallas, New Jersey, and St. Louis. Only St. Louis was in action in Columbus, so it was a chance for the Shock to grab points on its two main rivals. St. Louis had six matches, for a maximum of 18 points in the standings; St. Louis snagged all 18 for a perfect week! It is hard to minimize how dominant St. Louis was. They not only won 18 of 18 points, they also only lost one game all week. Their four players are all ranked in the top 8 of all individual player standings. Anna Bright has lost only one game; Hayden Patriquin is the slacker in the group with a record of “only” 13-3.

 

St. Louis, like Dallas, is a team that can send out four strong doubles teams. They also have four good singles players, although so far this season, they have been pushed to a Dreambreaker only once in eight matches. St. Louis has simply been dominant.

 

 

 

The other team to shine in Columbus was the Orlando Squeeze. After a decent performance at home in the season opener, Orlando now had an opportunity to gain points on the field, as they had six matches in Columbus. Orlando emerged with 14 points out of a possible 18 points, moving them well up the standings. Federico Staksrud played with great energy, seeming to really enjoy the format this week. Staksrud has the reputation of not performing to his usual high level at MLP. However, so did other top players like Riley Newman and JW Johnson, both of whom won an MLP season to get that monkey off their backs. Could 2025 be Staksrud’s turn?

 

The one blemish on Orlando’s week was that they were swept 4-0 by St. Louis. That match reminds us all that there is a difference between a good team and a great team.

 

 

 

The Carolinas get hit by hurricanes, but the latest disaster to befall Carolina is the performance of the Hogs in Columbus. They started poorly in Orlando, dropping both of their matches. With six matches in Columbus, it was a chance for redemption. Instead, Carolina did not win a single match and sits at the bottom of the standings. The Johns brothers withdrew and their substitutes and teammates fought valiantly, but the week was as bad as it could possibly be. This franchise needs a complete overhaul.

 

New York was rated as one of the worst teams coming out of the 2025 auction draft. They looked the part in Orlando. But, New York fought hard in Columbus and won two matches. New York is not going to make the playoffs, but they showed they can compete. Unless, of course, they are playing St. Louis. Against St. Louis, New York won all of seven points in four matches.

 

MLP takes a short break now, returning May 23 in Austin. Dallas, New Jersey, Texas, Miami and Orlando will be in action, so we can anticipate some very competitive matches. The Dallas v. New Jersey match in particular will be must see pickleball. Catch all the action on Pickleballtv.

 

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